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OFFICE 2016

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As a business owner, you want to be thoroughly involved with shaping the mission of your company as well as the team members who have joined you. However,
you may eventually reach a point where you begin stretching yourself too thin and need someone else to handle daily operations. Here are a few
qualities to look for when seeking out a manager that will help drive your vision and team forward.

The manager communicates effectively with the team, and in turn, the team trusts the manager - Communication and trust represent two of the
most important aspects of any relationship and are incredibly crucial in a business setting. Your manager should be able to articulate expectations,
objectives, and measurable goals in a way that motivates your team to perform beyond their potential. If the communication is open and effective,
the team will be able to put their trust in that manager and work alongside them to create the best results possible.

The manager stays organized and calm in any situation - Sure, we all lose our cool sometimes, but the manager of your business should have
a high enough emotional intelligence to where they do not explode or break down in a stressful environment. Your team looks to the manager for
leadership and guidance; they do not want to see their leader crumble. Also, the manager must plan ahead for any and projects and meetings. Nothing
strikes fear in the heart of a client or customer like a team who is not prepared to address their needs.

The manager cares about the customers and/or clients they are assisting - The last thing you want in a manager is disinterest or apathy
towards the people who ultimately hold your livelihood in their hands. You want a manager who inspires to team members to go beyond what is expected
in customer relationships. The manager should be a superb example of service and hospitality. Accepting anything less is detrimental to your team
and your business.

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Before focusing on elements such as sales & marketing, financial management and talent management and then delegating tasks to those specific departments,
a small business owner must understand why an operations manager is so crucial. Operations management sets the tone for the day-to-day tasks necessary
for a successful company.

Here are three ways describing how an operations manager is the heartbeat of your small business:

1) Selecting and cultivating relationships with your vendors - No matter how small or large your operation, you will need to contract
vendors for office supplies or product distribution. An operations manager will provide you the template for seeking out and using certain vendors,
whether that is the schedule for deliveries, certain contact persons or price points for different products.

2. Establishing daily procedures for employees - Your policies and procedure manuals are essential to providing structure within your
team. Click HERE for a list of items you should include. The procedures developed by your operations manager can help solidify the practical processes for new hire
training, team member absences and more.

3. Creating company objectives - Before releasing your sales and marketing teams out into the world, you must first provide them a
series of company-related goals to meet. These team members look to your guidance to provide them with a mission that permeates all their efforts.
Your operations manager can help clarify what is needed for the next month, six month or 1-year period.

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A common expression in business and life in general is "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail," a sentiment with which Campbell Business Services can agree,
as seen in blog posts such as "Goal Setting for the Second Half of the Year".
However, knowing the difference between setting flexible objectives and locking into strict expectations can help you improvise on the former while
avoiding dead ends with the latter.

Here are a few ways to plan ahead and embrace the natural spontaneity that occurs in the day to day operations of your company:

1) Set objectives, but acknowledge that different steps can lead to the final result: Two plus two equals four, but so does three
plus one. For example, your company has a specific profit goal for the year. You have a client who renews their contract every September, and this
renewal makes up your biggest sale of the year. It's easy to get comfortable with that kind of arrangement, if the client has to cancel their service
after 10 years of loyalty, you may be left scrambling. Remember that creating multiple ways to accomplish your goal is much more effective than putting
all your eggs in one basket.

2) Understand that trends change, and you might have to follow suit sooner rather than later: In such a technology-driven
society, businesses can always find ways to maintain their core standards and mission, but adapting your methods to maintain relevancy is necessary.
Find time each day to read up on the latest industry news and encourage your team to do the same (you can also prepare a list of articles each week
to send them). Pinpoint which trends affect you and your team and try to incorporate them frequently and smoothly.

3) Encourage your team members to put forth new ideas: As a company leader, you probably know specific ways in which you like to
complete both short-term and long-term projects. While these habits are important to maintaining your company's vision, be sure to set aside
time before and after each task to discuss new angles and approaches, and allow your team to be part of the conversation. You may discover brand new
ways to increase creativity and efficiency for your next product launch.

If you have any questions, feel free contact us at leijun@campbellbusinessservices.com

The end of June and the first half of 2015 will be here in less than two weeks, and the common phrase in passing conversation will most likely be some
form of: "I can't believe how fast this year is passing by." If you're an entrepreneur who set professional goals at the beginning of the year, you
may be celebrating, contemplating or panicking right now. If you're in that first category, congratulations and be sure to keep your focus and finish
the year strong. If you're in the second or third categories, know that there is always hope to reassess and accomplish your goals.

You have to give yourself a little grace from time to time. Don't let failure to accomplish a few things dissuade you from creating new goals for the second
half of 2015. Who said resolutions had to always be made at the start of the new year? As with any sort of goal setting, be sure to write down a list
of major tasks and minor steps to make each one a reality. Being able to gauge your progress encourages you when you seem worried about what to do
next. If your goals seem too general, aim to make them time-specific such as marketing initiatives for the summer or sales quotas for the fall. Set
your deadlines with the holiday season in mind. Reward yourself and your team when major strides have been made to crossing something off the list
as well as the moment of accomplishment. If you have any questions about goal setting and entrepreneurship, be sure to contact us today!